The ads promise all sorts of wonderful results, but are they true?
Unfortunately, scientific evidence does not support the effectiveness of the procedure, and risks have been reported.
Often these products come with a recommendation that you fast or follow a special, restricted diet.
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Be aware that changing your diet may affect your IBS.
If you have constipation-dominant IBS, for example, fasting might make your constipation worse.
Also, take note of the common ingredients found in colon cleansing teas and capsules.
Often, they are performed by colon hydrotherapists.
During colon hydrotherapy, a tube is inserted into your rectum as you lie flat on a table.
Water is then pumped into your colon, flushing out its contents.
Additives such as vitamins, probiotics, enzymes, herbs, or coffee may be added to the water.
The procedure typically lasts from 45 minutes to one hour.
Radiologists do not see it on their scans.
Cleaning out bacteria may be harmful: Bacteria in our large intestines are essential for digestive and overall health.
Removing this bacteria may upset the body’s own finely tuned bacterial balance.
These risks have been published in the medical literature.
Mishori RA, Otubu AA, Jones AA.The dangers of colon cleansing.The Journal of Family Practice.
2011;60(8):454-457.
InformedHealth.org [Internet].
